The fasting season of Ramzan begins

Night long prayers across mosques on Wednesday evening marked the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan, which begins from Thursday.

Night long prayers across mosques on Wednesday evening marked the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan, which begins from Thursday.

Professionals planning to observe the fast are making adjustments in their daily routines.

"I usually pray my evening namaz in my clinic, but this month I will leave early so that I can pray at home and have iftar (meal to break the fast) with my family," said Shehnaz Sheikh (50), a speech therapist from Byculla.

The unique part of a Ramzan prayer is the tarawi, a special namaz offered at night following which Muslims recite the Quran, at least one chapter a day.

Many also plan to abstain from television and avoid overeating iftar food, despite the temptation after a day's fast.

"If you fast for a while and feast immediately after that, the rationale behind the fast is lost," said Arif Banatwalla, a Juhu-based businessman.